Global (Dis)Order and Development

Across today’s world the established development paradigm is in question. The post-World War II presumption that a liberal open global economy is the way to advance peace and prosperity for all is challenged. Populist protectionism is on the rise across the global north with Trump, Brexit, Le Pen, Wilders, etc. – as well as Duterte in the Philippines. Statist economic strategies are reasserted in Russia and much of Latin America. The role of multilateral institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization is less clear. For large publics ‘globalization’ has become anathema. Yet at the same time the international community has in 2015 agreed on a set of extremely ambitious sustainable development goals (SDGs) for the next 15 years. The aim is to try to achieve a broad range of sustainable economic, social, and environmental development objectives. How can global sustainable development be achieved when international collaboration and exchange are increasingly challenged? This conference assesses current ‘anti-globalization’ and various possible responses to it. What are the sources of current heightened opposition to increased global transactions and interdependencies, as well the associated global governance? What strategies of ‘re-globalization’ are available, including reform and transformation of the rules and institutions that govern the global political economy? In particular, how can governments and citizens in the global south obtain due voice and influence in a revitalized global cooperation?